Being part of the semi-arid, southern Kalahari, the Mier area has a complex and sensitive ecosystem, with a low carrying capacity. Factors, such as population growth, uneconomical farm units and restricted communal areas, have resulted in serious degradation of the natural resource base. Due to their strong agricultural history, the Mier community is generally still perceived as being agriculturally inclined, which easily leads to an overall main objective, namely "to stabilising the Mier community in their agricultural environment". Development and assistance initiatives mostly focus on the natural resource base. The majority of the Mier community, however, has undergone an evolutionary process which has changed their attitudes to agriculture. In order to determine the current role of agriculture, this study aims to identify the livelihood strategies of the Mier community in the dynamic sphere of conditions and trends, livelihood resources as well as institutional and organisational structures. The main socio-economic results are as follows: (a) forty-two percent of the total economically active age (EAA) group is unemployed, with the highest rate under EAA persons younger than 30, i.e. 58%; (b) households diversify in one or more of the following livelihood sustaining activities: (i) casual labour (49%), (ii) government allowances (50%), (iii) livestock agriculture (46%), (iv) permanent work (28%), (v) migrancy (33%), (vi) fruit/vegetable/pasture production for own consumption (28%), (vii) support through private transfers (21%), and (viii) small scale trading activities (11%); (c) households perceive the following as their most important livelihood strategies: government allowances for 43% of all households, permanent work for 21 %, casual labour for 16% and livestock for only 10% of all households. The following results from this study indicate that the role of agriculture is declining. (a) Fifty-four percent of the community do not own livestock. (b) Only 39% of people who are not full time involved in agriculture, are very interested in farming, 19% are fairly interested and 42% are not interested. Only 4% of the grade 10-12 pupils are very interested, 42% fairly interested and 54% not interested in agriculture. (c) None of the communal farmers regard their livestock as their main livelihood strategy. For them, livestock mainly playa supplementary role, supplying milk and sometimes meat. (d) For every 55 persons who perceive a lack of land as the major problem of the Mier area, 100 persons believe that it is rather a lack of employment opportunities. It is concluded that the image of the Mier community as being a farming community should change to a community looking urgently for alternative livelihood opportunities. Support through agricultural assistance would only benefit a limited part of the community and it would exclude many of the poorest households. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar ( Plant Production))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Serial murder investigations are normally hard for police to handle because of problems that appear internal and external to the police department. While the traditional techniques of investigating a crime (presence witness or witnesses, collecting evidence, and obtaining a confession from the suspect) are helpful in normal situations, their rare application to serial murder cases is only further complicated by other issues. This recognition of investigative issues is critical for not only apprehending these dangerous types of individuals but also for preventing more murders. Case studies of six serial killers have been examined to clarify the issues, using the traditional techniques of investigation as a reference. The data have been interpreted in terms of the factors present in helping to apprehend the offender as well as the problems that hindered the investigation. A final discussion of solutions and the identification of other problems that have not been previously addressed in other works are offered. It is imperative to take note of these issues and work to diminish and/or resolve them for more effectively pursuing serial killers. With acknowledgement of where law enforcement is deficient, a larger effort can be made to not only minimize but possibly even eliminate the errors within an investigation.

No description available.

The purpose of the study was to identify the most effective map scale to use in on initial math/map scale lesson to be taught in math class at the middle school level. Consideration was made to ensure that the scale lesson would be developmentally valid and consistent with regard to both the mathematics and social studies curriculums. The study was conducted at an urban middle school in selected grade 7 classes during June, 1988. The method of conducting the study reflected throughout the mathematical perspective on the scale issue. Four alternative map scales were compared and an additional fifth scale was examined for transfer value. I was hypothesized that the target scale, 1" = 400 miles, exactly divisible by 8 and 16, would lead to greater student success at the required task: finding distance between specified pairs of cities on a map of South America. The scale study, while examined from a mathematics perspective, was positioned within the broader context of global education. The math/map scale lesson was examined with regard to the discipline of geography within the social studies department. This map approach to teaching mathematical scale moved a math class problem from abstract to real. Gains were mathematical and geographical. There were gains in three areas: (1) mathematics, (2) geography, and (3) relating mathematics and geography. Major gains in completion of the task required as measured by points assigned for correct responses occurred overall for the four alternative map/scale classes. Although the methodology isolated scale and results showed progression for all groups with a slightly larger average point gain for students using one particular scale, that of the target map, there was not enough difference in progression between groups for the results to be within an acceptable level of significance. Perception/Reality Analysis of students' perceived and actual abilities to complete the designated task of finding map distance using a specified scale indicated the presence of ability and interest on the part of students for learning math/map scale skills.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-86).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-86) Also available in print.

Includes home owners association by-laws. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries